The unhurried rise of Austria’s second-largest city, Graz, is bolstered by its unique approach to tourism and the active involvement of residents, making it a model for sustainable urbanism worldwide. Austrian cities are renowned for their landmarks and centuries-long histories, but the former Habsburg stronghold Graz doesn’t compete with imperial-laced Vienna and princely splendour Salzburg. Instead, this southern city thrives on being off the radar, with a Mediterranean style that extends beyond its facades to a relaxed way of life. Graz embraces a slow and sustainable pace, prioritising pre ..read more

Here’s what to see in Weimar, Germany – a city of rich cultural heritage whose legacy was its downfall during and its saving grace after WWII. Weimar, Germany, is instantly captivating. A picture book of classicism and grandeur seeping from every one of its pastel-hued buildings, quaint open squares and magnificent surrounding green parks, this 1000-year-old city certainly holds true to its significance as an artistic and cultural hotspot of the country.  Referenced mostly in relation to its artistic residents, who have bestowed upon it an array of cultural glory, Weimar is known as the h ..read more

Here are all the things to do in Erfurt, Germany, which show how the city – dubbed the “picture book of German history” – has regained a stunning restoration after socialist rule. “Erfurt is such a bright place now, but much of its past isn’t.” This phrase stuck in my mind at the end of my time in Erfurt, Germany. It was in response to my announcement of it as my second favourite German city after Berlin. On the surface, this restored medieval area is nothing short of what German writer Arnold Zweig describes as “a picture book of German history,” yet it’s all too easy to forget its darker day ..read more

The Black Forest in Germany is listed as one of the most beautiful and preserved landscapes in the country, alongside its fame for cake and cuckoo clocks. Here’s how to see it all. It’s all too easy to encounter forests and vast open spaces across the world manipulated by man to provide easier access for mass traffic and gimmicky tourist attractions. Yet the Black Forest in Southwestern Germany prides itself on maintaining a pristine and natural landscape. The timeless presence is down to ‘Bannwald’. It’s a philosophy that translates into ‘letting the forest be’; valley-deep and mountain-high ..read more

Outside the Old Town area, you’ll find its trendy New Town alter ego – a city much cooler than you think. Here’s what to do in Dresden, Germany. Dresden is considered one of the most beautiful Baroque cities in Europe and while sightseeing in the Old Town is obligatory, it is also very limiting to understanding its true persona as a former city of post-war destruction and Soviet East Germany. When you visit Dresden, you’ll soon see two distinct sides of the city to explore. Beyond the cultural heart of the city lies a more trendy and modern Dresden, where soviet GDR landscapes have been r ..read more

One of Myanmar’s top tourist attractions, an Inle Lake tour is best taken with a local who can reveal the unique way of life there. Inle Lake is the second largest lake in Myanmar after Indawgyi Lake, located in northern Shan State – a 22 km long valley-set, silvery-blue water basin at 884 metres above sea level (2900 ft) that snakes into tiny canals with miniature hand-built dams. In the main town of Nyaung Shwe, the sound of motorboats signals the arrival of a new dawn, where tourists flock to the main pier to embark on day trips. Touring Inle Lake in a wooden longtail boat is one of the top ..read more

Travel to Taiwan is underrated, and the island in the East China Sea is relatively unknown. Here are the best places to visit in Taiwan to see it differently. Underrated and rarely spoken about, travelling in Taiwan was put on the radar after I met a woman called Marie during my travels in India five years ago. Born and raised in the capital city of Taipei before moving to the USA with her family in her teens, she’s spent years telling me incredible stories of her home town, the culture she left behind and (like many of my Asian friends) the food. Her plethora of memories brought to life the l ..read more

From historical sites to nature and art spaces, here are the places to visit in Beijing, China, to see it from a different perspective. When visiting Beijing, three sites are given – The Great Wall, Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. In most guidebooks, it’s almost always stated that without this holy trinity of tourist must-dos ticked off the list, you haven’t experienced Beijing. While there is more than this, you may have limited time in Beijing as you plan a trip around China to see as much as possible in a short time frame. I spent around 12 days in Beijing, and I loved digging into ..read more

Planning a trip to Iceland? Here’s how and where to find the hotspots and highlights that give this country its unique identity. Your first introduction to Iceland is how otherworldly it looks. I remember the plane slowly sweeping over a landscape that looked like Mars as it approached the runway; its dark brown rocky surface and crater-like perforations created excitement amongst the many explorers pushing their faces against the cabin glass windows as if they were landing on another planet. Iceland really does feel like another world. Even the bright light of the ‘Midnight Sun’ kept me in aw ..read more

Here’s why a homestay in Southeast Asia is the best way to understand local culture and what you can typically expect from the experience. If you like understanding the local culture more deeply, as well as meeting, interacting and living with locals to do so, then a homestay in Southeast Asia might be a worthwhile experience beyond the temple hopping trails and hostel stays.  My first homestay was on Dong Deng (one of the 4,000 islands in Laos). I continued in the hill tribe villages in Thailand, living locally on a trek in Myanmar and staying in a community homestay village near Panulti ..read more